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Our church spent 2025 asking God, “Where do we go from here?” We believe God answered us, giving unity of spirit and direction to pastoral staff, the board, and parishioners who have confirmed his vision for a Living Learning Community.

The Living Learning Community will begin this fall with a small community of students seeking God’s wholeness for themselves and the place where they live and worship. We will draw from the gifts of whole organizations that have come from ULCC, doing work in education, social work, community development, and addiction recovery. Students of various ages and backgrounds will be trained in scripture, formation, and community development as they volunteer in the church and community. For some, this might be a brief season (transition period or summer or college internship, perhaps) to get a taste for the life behind the Sunday worship services at Urban Light. Others can take longer courses for study to earn certificates or masters degrees through Winebrenner Seminary.

Urban Light has committed funding in our 2026 budget to provide modest, good-fit housing accommodations for a limited number of students starting this fall. We are also raising funds to renovate under-utilized areas of the church for dorm-style living spaces. We want our building fully used and offering hospitality that benefits not only those studying, but those who live, work, and worship in and around the church.

 

Ways to get involved:

  • Pray. And we mean it. We need continued discernment for the right people to come together. We expect obstacles along the way and need God to meet our spiritual and physical needs and help us fit into the larger story he is writing here.
  • Consider whether this learning opportunity is for you. Use the QR code to apply and talk with us about it.
  • Make a designated gift. Donate above tithes and offerings to the Living Learning Community. Initial quotes suggest we will need a minimum of $50k to convert existing rooms and bathrooms into livable space so that students won’t need to work full-time while studying. We want them free to invest time in the church and community.

This year, we ask for the Lord’s kingdom to come in and through all those who are part of this work. Whether through prayer, participation, or financial support, we trust that means you!